Investment Banks (Financial Economics)

An investment bank provides specialized services for companies and large investors.

These services include:

1. Underwriting and advising on securities issues and other forms of capital raising
2. Advice on mergers, acquisitions & corporate restructuring
3. Trading on capital markets (bonds and equities)
4. Corporate research and private equity investments

Key points:

An investment bank trades and invests on its own account
Commercial banks can provide investment banking services

Who are the world's biggest investment banks?

The chart below tracks the leading investment banks worldwide in 2016, measured by fees (in million U.S. dollars)